Hello everyone, and welcome to my first AAR. I will be playing Ethiopia on ironman/normal difficulty, and my goal is to unite the Christians of the Eastern world into one holy empire under the rule of the Solomonic dynasty. It is unlikely that I will expand into Europe, or up into the Slavic/Horde lands in the North. Without further Adieu, Here are the results of my first session. SS's coming as soon as I figure things out.
1444-1470
In 1444 Ethiopia, under the rule of the great Zara Yakob Solomonid, subdued a rebellion in the northern part of his empire. This prompted him to consider his stance on the religion of the area, within his borders. Such rebelliousness would not make for stable nation. With this, he immediately set out to expand his military potential, but lacking the funds to increase the number units available to him, he opted to increase the potential of those he could afford. From 1444 to 1448 his army drilled and prepared itself for the first steps of Zara's new vision of his Empire.
In 1448, upon seeing the expansion of his southern neighbors of Kaffa, and the Fetishist Welayta, Zara decided it was in his best interests to subdue, or conquer these lands, and ensure that the amount of rivals in the area remained few. With his freshly drilled troops he marched upon the nation of Welayta with the intention of conquest, and conversion. However after his troops crossed the border into Welaytan lands, Kaffa declared war upon her as well. This prompted an idea. He quickly marched onto the Fetishist capital and laid siege. It wasn't long before it had succumb to Ethiopian occupation - and Zara acted quickly, offering them vassalization instead of outright conquest.
They accepted on the condition that Ethiopia would protect them from the Kaffan aggressors to their west. All according to his plan. Upon learning of Walaytan claims in Kaffa, Zara decided it would be better to instead use their claims and conquer the two lands at once. Ethiopia smashed the Kaffan armies and set about sieging their lands which ended by 1450. Ethiopia was now the new suzerain of an expanded Welayta - though his new subject was not entirely endured to the idea, and so Zara dispatched an emissary to gain their favor.
In 1452, Zara established relations with Alodia to their northwest, with the intentions perhaps offering them protection in later years.
In the following year, Zara decided to embrace a more humanitarian outlook for his empire. If rule was to be maintained peacefully over all these peoples, and religions - a more tolerant regime would be needed - at least until he could see to their differences.
On the 26th of May the same year, a state of war was declared between the Empire of Ethiopia, and the alliance of Adal(Beja, Marehan, and Hadramut). The aim was to secure a coastal region for access to the Red Sea, Assab, and to reclaim the lands of Dawaro.
The war was kicked off with a interception of the Bejan army attempting to cross into Ethiopia's north. After their defeat, Zara instructed his subjects to secure the Beja lands while his own remaining 11 thousand strong army marched south into Adal. The unorganized defense of their alliance was exploted to the most, intercepting an army of Adal attempting to cross into Ethiopia, and then marching north to crush the Hadramut army. With these two armies routed, Zara instructed his men to go and occupy the Adalese capital of Harer.
With no intentions of expanding up north, and risking the wrath of the Mamlukan powerhouse, a peace was negotiated with Beja where they would pay reparations for their part in the war. However a rise in tensions with the Mamluks was inevitable, as he felt compelled to object to their treatment of the Coptic peoples in their lands - going so far as to detain their ambassador in 1454.
In 1455 reforms were made to the government amidst the war with Adal to reduce the powers of the ever burdening nobles of the realm. As well, a separate peace was signed with Marehan. Under it, they were made to annul treaties with Adal, as well as pay reparations. The Emperor perhaps unwisely pressed the nobles for more manpower to avoid the use of mercenaries so soon after reducing their privileges.
The war now just shy of 3 years came to and end on March 16th 1456 with the full annexation of Adal in anticipation of a Mamlukian reaction to his detaining of their diplomat. Zara's goal now was to secure, and stabilize his new lands, and raise his armies from 13 thousand to around 20 thousand. He also began the annexation of two of his subjects, Damot, and Hadiya. With his manpower being depleted, he opted to grant these new lands a greater degree of autonomy to avert any rebellions while he replenished his manpower.
In 1457 a dispatch was sent to Cairo with a chest of gold, as well as words of reassurance that the recent aggressive nature of Ethiopia does not serve to undermine her supremacy in Africa, simply that they wished to subdue the pirating nature of Adal. This was in reaction to a growing coalition in southern Arabia opposite the red sea. A new fort began construction in Tajura to slow down any progress made into Ethiopian lands, as well as his army was stationed, and drilled there. In order to balance the treasury, the fort in newly acquired Zeila was dismantled. A new permanent capital was set up in Shewa to continue building upon Zara's new vision of Ethiopia.
By 1459 Both Damot, and Hadiya officially joined the Ethiopian crown, and their armies were worked into the increasingly professional armies that Zara was focused on creating. Much of the worry that wracked Zara's mind was relieved as the Mamluks declared war on the Arabian majority coalition forming against him, with this temporary security he began the annexation of Welayta, and building up his lands.
In 1465 the Fetishist nation of Welayta accepted the Ethiopian offer to join the crown officially, becoming the third such nation to do so. With this area secured, Zara set his sights on the growing power of Warsangali who had recently annexed much of Marehan shortly after their defeat at Ethiopian hands. He swelled his military might up to 22 thousand men and continued to have them drilled them day in, day out. A new navy of 10 Barques, lead by admiral Hamalmal Eyob was created to secure the coastal lands of Tajura against any Arab incursions. With his confidence in his eastern borders being as secured as they can be, he declared war against Warsangali, and its allies of Aden, Mahra, and Malindi with the goal of cutting them down to size, or out right annexation, and ensuring continued Ethiopian supremacy of the local region.
On the 2nd of November, 1465, 22 thousand men marched in to Warsangali controlled Togdheer. It wasn't long after, that the capabilities of his fledgling navy were tested as 15 vessels attacked off the coast of Tajura, however the skilled, or more likely lucky admiral managed to fend off the attacks, securing 4 new cogs for the Ethiopian navy. With the recent victory at hand, Hamalmal led his fleet out on the attack, and possibly to secure further vessels for Ethiopia. However his brazen offense left Tajura open to attacks from across the sea, and such an attack came in the form of 8 thousand Arabs. 7 thousand men, still well drilled, were detached from the main army and sent to secure the region. They arrived and in recent fashion, cut down the apposing army, losing 1500 men in the battle - nothing compared to the 4000 men lost on their end. Further south, roughly 9 thousand mercenaries from Kilwa were dispatched to relieve the pressure in Malindi, but were intercepted in Tana. The unskilled army was easily overrun and the siege of Malindi resumed.
By 1468 with the majority of the African conflict well under control, Zara sent his full army across the red sea, the goal was to crush whatever armies exist on that end, and then split the army to resume siegeing on both ends. A 12 thousand strong army awaited him in the mountainous region of Dhamar, but despite that advantage, the arabian army was crushed, and the siege would begin in 1469. Shortly after the fall of a few provinces in arabia, and the rest of the Warsangali lands, a peace was made. Warsangali accepted Ethiopian suzerainty. In total, Hamalmal captured 6 cogs for his country.
The Mamluks, still being visited by Ethiopian diplomats remained calm about the vassalization, however the rest of Arabia was a different matter. This year saw the growth of Catholism in Arsi, becoming the dominate religion of the area. Near the end of the year, Alodia accepted Ethiopian protection, becoming their second current vassal. Zara now looks to fortify his lands in anticipation for a potential Arabian retaliation. Will the Mamluks continue to accept Ethiopian aggression, will they continue their conquest of Arabia, leaving Zara free to continue his conquests of the Horn of Africa? Who knows.
1444-1470
In 1444 Ethiopia, under the rule of the great Zara Yakob Solomonid, subdued a rebellion in the northern part of his empire. This prompted him to consider his stance on the religion of the area, within his borders. Such rebelliousness would not make for stable nation. With this, he immediately set out to expand his military potential, but lacking the funds to increase the number units available to him, he opted to increase the potential of those he could afford. From 1444 to 1448 his army drilled and prepared itself for the first steps of Zara's new vision of his Empire.
In 1448, upon seeing the expansion of his southern neighbors of Kaffa, and the Fetishist Welayta, Zara decided it was in his best interests to subdue, or conquer these lands, and ensure that the amount of rivals in the area remained few. With his freshly drilled troops he marched upon the nation of Welayta with the intention of conquest, and conversion. However after his troops crossed the border into Welaytan lands, Kaffa declared war upon her as well. This prompted an idea. He quickly marched onto the Fetishist capital and laid siege. It wasn't long before it had succumb to Ethiopian occupation - and Zara acted quickly, offering them vassalization instead of outright conquest.
They accepted on the condition that Ethiopia would protect them from the Kaffan aggressors to their west. All according to his plan. Upon learning of Walaytan claims in Kaffa, Zara decided it would be better to instead use their claims and conquer the two lands at once. Ethiopia smashed the Kaffan armies and set about sieging their lands which ended by 1450. Ethiopia was now the new suzerain of an expanded Welayta - though his new subject was not entirely endured to the idea, and so Zara dispatched an emissary to gain their favor.
In 1452, Zara established relations with Alodia to their northwest, with the intentions perhaps offering them protection in later years.
In the following year, Zara decided to embrace a more humanitarian outlook for his empire. If rule was to be maintained peacefully over all these peoples, and religions - a more tolerant regime would be needed - at least until he could see to their differences.
On the 26th of May the same year, a state of war was declared between the Empire of Ethiopia, and the alliance of Adal(Beja, Marehan, and Hadramut). The aim was to secure a coastal region for access to the Red Sea, Assab, and to reclaim the lands of Dawaro.
The war was kicked off with a interception of the Bejan army attempting to cross into Ethiopia's north. After their defeat, Zara instructed his subjects to secure the Beja lands while his own remaining 11 thousand strong army marched south into Adal. The unorganized defense of their alliance was exploted to the most, intercepting an army of Adal attempting to cross into Ethiopia, and then marching north to crush the Hadramut army. With these two armies routed, Zara instructed his men to go and occupy the Adalese capital of Harer.
With no intentions of expanding up north, and risking the wrath of the Mamlukan powerhouse, a peace was negotiated with Beja where they would pay reparations for their part in the war. However a rise in tensions with the Mamluks was inevitable, as he felt compelled to object to their treatment of the Coptic peoples in their lands - going so far as to detain their ambassador in 1454.
In 1455 reforms were made to the government amidst the war with Adal to reduce the powers of the ever burdening nobles of the realm. As well, a separate peace was signed with Marehan. Under it, they were made to annul treaties with Adal, as well as pay reparations. The Emperor perhaps unwisely pressed the nobles for more manpower to avoid the use of mercenaries so soon after reducing their privileges.
The war now just shy of 3 years came to and end on March 16th 1456 with the full annexation of Adal in anticipation of a Mamlukian reaction to his detaining of their diplomat. Zara's goal now was to secure, and stabilize his new lands, and raise his armies from 13 thousand to around 20 thousand. He also began the annexation of two of his subjects, Damot, and Hadiya. With his manpower being depleted, he opted to grant these new lands a greater degree of autonomy to avert any rebellions while he replenished his manpower.
In 1457 a dispatch was sent to Cairo with a chest of gold, as well as words of reassurance that the recent aggressive nature of Ethiopia does not serve to undermine her supremacy in Africa, simply that they wished to subdue the pirating nature of Adal. This was in reaction to a growing coalition in southern Arabia opposite the red sea. A new fort began construction in Tajura to slow down any progress made into Ethiopian lands, as well as his army was stationed, and drilled there. In order to balance the treasury, the fort in newly acquired Zeila was dismantled. A new permanent capital was set up in Shewa to continue building upon Zara's new vision of Ethiopia.
By 1459 Both Damot, and Hadiya officially joined the Ethiopian crown, and their armies were worked into the increasingly professional armies that Zara was focused on creating. Much of the worry that wracked Zara's mind was relieved as the Mamluks declared war on the Arabian majority coalition forming against him, with this temporary security he began the annexation of Welayta, and building up his lands.
In 1465 the Fetishist nation of Welayta accepted the Ethiopian offer to join the crown officially, becoming the third such nation to do so. With this area secured, Zara set his sights on the growing power of Warsangali who had recently annexed much of Marehan shortly after their defeat at Ethiopian hands. He swelled his military might up to 22 thousand men and continued to have them drilled them day in, day out. A new navy of 10 Barques, lead by admiral Hamalmal Eyob was created to secure the coastal lands of Tajura against any Arab incursions. With his confidence in his eastern borders being as secured as they can be, he declared war against Warsangali, and its allies of Aden, Mahra, and Malindi with the goal of cutting them down to size, or out right annexation, and ensuring continued Ethiopian supremacy of the local region.
On the 2nd of November, 1465, 22 thousand men marched in to Warsangali controlled Togdheer. It wasn't long after, that the capabilities of his fledgling navy were tested as 15 vessels attacked off the coast of Tajura, however the skilled, or more likely lucky admiral managed to fend off the attacks, securing 4 new cogs for the Ethiopian navy. With the recent victory at hand, Hamalmal led his fleet out on the attack, and possibly to secure further vessels for Ethiopia. However his brazen offense left Tajura open to attacks from across the sea, and such an attack came in the form of 8 thousand Arabs. 7 thousand men, still well drilled, were detached from the main army and sent to secure the region. They arrived and in recent fashion, cut down the apposing army, losing 1500 men in the battle - nothing compared to the 4000 men lost on their end. Further south, roughly 9 thousand mercenaries from Kilwa were dispatched to relieve the pressure in Malindi, but were intercepted in Tana. The unskilled army was easily overrun and the siege of Malindi resumed.
By 1468 with the majority of the African conflict well under control, Zara sent his full army across the red sea, the goal was to crush whatever armies exist on that end, and then split the army to resume siegeing on both ends. A 12 thousand strong army awaited him in the mountainous region of Dhamar, but despite that advantage, the arabian army was crushed, and the siege would begin in 1469. Shortly after the fall of a few provinces in arabia, and the rest of the Warsangali lands, a peace was made. Warsangali accepted Ethiopian suzerainty. In total, Hamalmal captured 6 cogs for his country.
The Mamluks, still being visited by Ethiopian diplomats remained calm about the vassalization, however the rest of Arabia was a different matter. This year saw the growth of Catholism in Arsi, becoming the dominate religion of the area. Near the end of the year, Alodia accepted Ethiopian protection, becoming their second current vassal. Zara now looks to fortify his lands in anticipation for a potential Arabian retaliation. Will the Mamluks continue to accept Ethiopian aggression, will they continue their conquest of Arabia, leaving Zara free to continue his conquests of the Horn of Africa? Who knows.
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